HO can peruse the historic pages that recount the lofty deeds

reverence for the great chieftain who won our nation's independence, and bequeathed to us the legacy of freedom which we now so richly enjoy? Who can study the character of Washington without being made better and wiser? For in him were combined those elements that constitute true greatness; every new incident connected with the life of that truly noble man adds a brighter luster to his name. His pure character and unsullied patriotism far transcend the pomp and pageantry associated with imperial dignity.

Greece may boast of her Alexander, Rome of her Cæsar, and France of her Napoleon, but with a loftier pride may America exult in the time-enduring fame of her illustrious Washington. While the martial triumphs of those famed warriors dazzle the mind like

the meteor rushing across the midnight sky, the glorious deeds of Washington are like the bright star that beams ever on, undimmed by the flight of years.

In early life he laid the foundation of a lofty mind by rigid discipline. Even in youth he was known for that unbending integrity which was a noble characteristic of his eventful life. Nothing swerved him from the path of honor and rectitude. And such was the confidence reposed in him by his country, that when the dark storm of the Revolution burst upon our devoted land, he alone was deemed capable of directing its affairs in the gloomy hour of peril.

"There, like an angel form

Sent down to still the storm,
Stood Washington!

Clouds broke and rolled away;
Foes fled in pale dismay;

Wreathed were his brows with bay,

When war was done."

Long, long indeed was the struggle for independence; thousands fell on the blood-stained field, fighting for their dearest rights; yet, through all the vicissitudes of that dark and gloomy "time that tried mens' souls," Washington remained undaunted, and cheered the desponding hopes of his soldiers by his example of fortitude and selfdenial. At length the dark cloud of war rolled away, and the glorious sun of peace and prosperity smiled upon the young republic, established by the energy and perseverance of Washington and his worthy band of patriots.

At the close of the war, which encircled his brow with victory, the great hero presented the rare example of a man possessing almost supreme power, descending from his high station to the level of the private citizen, But the gratitude of a nation soon called him again from his retirement to preside over its destinies, which station he filled with honor to himself and to his country. Afterward he sought that retirement which he had cherished so long, and upon the banks of the beautiful Potomac he lived in the sweet enjoyment of that freedom for which he had toiled so devotedly. There, amid those quiet shades, made sacred by his ashes, he now calmly slumbers. But his memory, imperishable as the adamantine rock, still lives, and will ever be cherished with veneration as long as America endures.

Now mark the career of Alexander, Cæsar, and Napoleon, the greatest conquerors, perhaps, the world has ever produced. The

haughty Alexander, who wept because there was nothing more for him to conquer, but his unsatiated ambition, ingloriously died in a scene of debauchery. The proud Cæsar, who swayed the iron scepter of Rome over a conquered world and dictated laws to vassal kings, died a violent death by the hands of his own countrymen. And the ambitious Napoleon, after having convulsed Europe with the discordant din of his triumphant arms, died in lonely exile on the gloomy isle of St. Helena, far from the scenes of his glory and greatness.

Thus they who filled the world with scenes of blood and carnage, and led forth their mighty hosts to battle for the love of conquest and self-aggrandizement, were humbled at last, even in the midst of their glory and power; but notwithstanding the grandeur and extent of their conquests, in point of true greatness they can not be compared with Washington, whose highest ambition was to emancipate his country from the thralldom of oppressive rule, and his greatest solicitude the establishment of a free national government on a firm and solid basis. When that object was attained he retired to the quiet and peaceful scenes of rural life, and there, unsolicited, received the homage of a grateful people.

Youth of America, what a noble example is here presented for your contemplation! Do you aspire to true greatness, and would you lay the foundation of a firm and enduring character? Emulate the virtues of Washington, and be guided by the principles of honor and integrity that led him up the rugged heights of fame, and set his name, like a star of the first magnitude, amid the bright constellations of earth's illustrious heroes. You, too, may benefit mankind by your services and worthy examples.

THERE

I'LL DO IT WELL.

HERE lives in New England a gentlemen who gave the following interesting account of a portion of his own life: He was an apprentice in a tin manufactory. When twenty-one years old he had lost his health, so that he was entirely unable to work at his trade, and wholly destitute of means. With this imperfect health he was thrown out upon the world to seek any employment for which he had strength. He said he went out to find employment with the determ

118

THE STUDENT'S GREETING.

ination that whatever he did he would do it well. The first and only thing he found that he could do, was to black boots and scour knives in a tavern. This he did, and did it well, as gentlemen now living would testify. Though the business was low and servile, he did not lay aside his self-respect, or allow himself to be made mean by his business. The respect and confidence of his employers were secured, as a matter of course, and he was advanced to a more lucrative and less laborious position.

The health of the young man was restored, and he returned to his legitimate business, which he now carries on very extensively. He has accumulated an ample fortune, and is training an interesting family, by giving them the advantages for moral and mental cultivation. The gentleman in question stands high among the givers to every benevolent object. It would be superfluous to say, though naturally very modest and retiring, he holds an elevated place in the community where he lives, and is to his minister what Jonathan was to David.

Young men who may chance to read the above statement of facts, should remember the secret of the above-named success. The man's whole character, of whom I have spoken, was formed and directed by the determination to do whatever he did well.

Poverty and servile labor are no disgrace when persons in these circumstances do not disgrace themselves by feeling that because they have inferior clothes and lower employment than others, therefore they need not be particular about their character. This is the mistake, the ruin of thousands. Do the thing that you are doing so well that you will be respected in your place, and you may be sure it will be said to you," Go up higher."-N. Y. Evangelist.

THE STUDENT'S GREETING,

FROM HILLBROOK GLEN.

FRIENDLY "Student," glad are we
Thy loved form once more to see;
Warmly we will bid thee come,
Welcome! welcome! to our home!

Longing hearts e'er wait to greet thee;
Eager hands oft haste to meet thee;

Thine approach is loved by all,

Thee, with earnest voice, we call.

A SUMMER DAY IN HAYING.

Thine's the page of love and truth,
Thine's the sphere to teach the youth.
Noble work! and well fulfilled,
Pure the thoughts by thee instilled.

Wisdom on each leaflet lies,
Knowledge pure, which never dies:
Countless pearls thou dost unfold,
Heavenly gems, more worth than gold.

May God bless thy progress here,
Grant thee still a bright career;
Hallowed truths by thee be given,

Which shall lead young hearts to heaven.

119

FIVE

A SUMMER DAY IN HAYING.*

BY BENJAMIN F. TAYLOR.

IVE o'clock, and a summer morning! A few minutes ago I witnessed one of the most beautiful spectacles ever presented to mortal eye- the opening of the gates of day, and the sun standing upon the threshold, looking forth, like a prince in bright armor, upon his kingdom. The blue walls of heaven, built up in the heavy masonry of night, parted without a crash, nay, even without the soft and silken rustle of a curtain. The lights aloft were put out, one after another, to give effect to the scene; the gates of red gold swung back, noiselessly as the parting of soft lips in dreams, and a threshold and hall inlaid with pearl were disclosed.

There was a flash, a gleam, and a glow over the lake, and there paused the sun, as if enchanted with the scene he smiled on. A moment, and he stepped forth, but there was no jar; a moment more, and cloud, and wood, and hill were all of a glory. And there was song, sweetest song; the deep-blue heaven was full of voices of unseen birds, that fluttered at the pale portal of morning.

Five o'clock, and a summer morning! A silver mist hangs along the streams, a few downy clouds are afloat, and the landscape is heavy with dew. The cows turned out from the milking, are tinkling their way along the winding path to the woods; the robins are

* No one who has resided in the country, even though it were only in childhood, can fail to appreciate the beautiful and vivid picture here spread before him, of a summer day in haying, It is from "January and June," a work recently published by S. Hueston, New York.